NEW LONDON, N.H. - The New England College women's soccer team made the short trip to Colby-Sawyer on Wednesday afternoon for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup, falling to the Chargers by a 2-0 final.
Colby-Sawyer opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Sofia Blanco found the back of the net to give the home team an early advantage. The Chargers continued to apply pressure, but sophomore goalkeeper Estrella Michaelidis (Dedham, Mass.) came up with several big saves. NEC generated opportunities of their own, highlighted by a shot from junior Julianna Barrett (Orange, Conn.) that was turned aside by CSC goalkeeper Lyndsey Valletta. Both teams exchanged chances late in the half, with strong goalkeeping on each end preserving the Chargers' 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The teams continued to battle throughout the second half, as Michaelidis anchored the 'Grims defense with multiple saves. CSC added an insurance goal in the 74th minute, placing a shot into the lower-left corner to extend their lead to 2-0. Junior Abbey Keyes (Dedham, Mass.) looked to put NEC on the board with a shot on goal, but Valletta made the save. The Pilgrims created several late opportunities through senior Madison Bowman (Coventry, R.I.) and freshman Stella-Blue Kraus (East Greenwich, R.I.), but Valletta stood tall in net as Colby-Sawyer secured the conference victory.
Michaelidis played all 90 minutes in goal for the 'Grims, finishing with nine saves on the afternoon.
The Pilgrims are back on the road Saturday, heading to New Haven, Conn., for a 1:00 PM matchup against Albertus Magnus.
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